INGLEWOOD, California (Ticker) -- Dennis Rodman paid immediate
dividends and sparked the Los Angeles Lakers to a 99-83 victory
over the winless Los Angeles Clippers, making Kurt Rambis a
winner in his head coaching debut.

Rodman entered the game with 6:02 left in the first quarter and
the Lakers proceeded to score 15 of the next 20 points to take a
28-16 lead at the end of the period. They cruised to their
second victory in as many nights over the Clippers.

Signed to a one-year deal on Tuesday, Rodman grabbed 11 rebounds
and handed out six assists over 26 minutes in his first action
since the Chicago Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz in Game Six of
the NBA Finals on June 14.

"My body is fine," Rodman said. "I really haven't stepped on
the court or touched a basketball in nine months, that's pretty
good. I felt a little shy at the beginning because I didn't
want to mess up, but when I stepped on the court it all just
came back to me."

Rodman wore No. 73 to commemorate his seven consecutive
rebounding titles and three straight championships won while
with the Bulls. In addition, 73 also is the reverse of Rodman's
age.

"It feels weird (to wear a different uniform)," Rodman added.
"It is real difficult. It felt kind of awkward. In a weird
way. I like to think that the people in Los Angeles and the
state of California have accepted me for who I am, and I am just
going to go out there and work every night."

Rambis, who celebrated his 41st birthday on Thursday, was named
coach through the end of the season just hours before the game.
He served as an assistant under Del Harris, who was fired
Wednesday, for three-plus seasons and as a player helped the
Lakers to NBA titles in 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988.

"I had fun," said Rambis. "A little nerve-racking too but it
was enjoyable. Every time I wanted to sit down though there was
no place to sit. I'm gonna have to designate a chair so I can
sit down when I want to."

The Lakers fired Harris after three consecutive losses, the
final two coming against the lowly Denver Nuggets and Vancouver
Grizzlies. But the Clippers proved the perfect tonic, losing
twice to their crosstown rivals to remain the NBA's only winless
team at 0-11.

"It felt great," Rambis said. "We've got a tough schedule
coming up so I had to remind the players that this is not an
indication that everything is alright with us, that we're fine
and we have no more problems. We still have a lot of work to
do. We have a lot of improvement to do."

The Lakers recorded a 115-100 victory in Anaheim on Thursday and
led by as many as 29 points early in the third quarter in this
one before Rambis turned the game over to his bench in the final
minutes.

Kobe Bryant scored 22 points, Shaquille O'Neal had 19 and Eddie
Jones contributed 12 for the Lakers, who have won the last seven
meetings with the Clippers, dating to March 13, 1997.

Darrick Martin and Tyrone Nesby netted 12 points apiece for the
Clippers, who are off to their worst start since beginning the
1994-95 season with a franchise-record 16 losses.

"We need improvement in every facet of the game right now," said
Clippers coach Chris Ford. "We're not shooting it and not
playing the defense we need to play to be competitive in this
league."

Rodman came off the bench midway through the first period with
the Lakers holding a 13-11 lead and replaced Travis Knight.
O'Neal threw down a dunk and then took a feed from his newest
teammate to convert a layup while being fouled by Lorenzen
Wright. The ensuing free throw gave the Lakers an 18-11 lead
with 5:55 left in the quarter.

"You don't know how good people are until you play with them,"
said O'Neal. "He's pretty good. He's pretty smart. He gets his
hand on every loose ball. That's what I've been waiting for, the
type of player like that. I'm happy he played like that, I'm
happy we played like that, I'm happy I was able to sit out the
fourth quarter."

Bryant hit two free throws before the Clippers scored for the
first time in just under four minutes as Rodney Rogers connected
on the first of two from the line. A hook shot by Rogers
brought the Clippers within 20-14, but the Lakers scored six
straight points on two free throws by Rick Fox, a hook by Elden
Campbell and two free throws from Derek Fisher.

"We have to (stay positive), you know, we can't get down," said
Rogers. "We just gotta keep playing hard, and keep playing
together and we'll get a win."

Wright hit a 16-footer, but Fisher ended the quarter with two
from the line to give the Lakers a 12-point lead.

Despite Rodman's presence, the Lakers were outrebounded, 48-46.
Top draft pick Michael Olowokondi grabbed 12 rebounds, six on
the offensive end, for the Clippers, who shot a miserable 29
percent (27-of-92) from the field.

The Lakers ended any doubts about the outcome by scoring the
first seven points of the second quarter. Derek Harper hit a
22-foot jump shot, Bryant drove for a layup and Robert Horry
drained a 3-pointer from the right sideline to make it 35-16
with 8:02 left before halftime.

The Lakers took their biggest lead of the game with 9:42 left
when Fox hit two free throws to make it 81-52.

The Lakers shot 49 percent (32-of-65) and committed 25 turnovers
which the Clippers turned into 27 points. The Clippers had 18
miscues.